March 10, 2000
Journal of the Senate
FORTY-THIRD DAY
______
| Senate Chamber, Topeka, Kansas |
| Friday, March 10, 2000--9:00 a.m. |
The Senate was called to order by President Dick Bond.
The roll was called with thirty-seven senators present.
Senators Corbin, Jones and Vidricksen were excused.
President Bond introduced as guest chaplain, Rev. Terry W. Stafford, Pastor, Topeka
Free Methodist Church, who delivered the invocation:
O God, in our prayers for our country,
may we pray for the health, wisdom, and families,
of those who frame our laws and govern our nation.
Grant them vision far into the issues of their time,
courage to uphold what they believe to be right,
and integrity in their words and motives.
We pray that those who lead and take on themselves great responsibilities,
may not simply wish to seem great in the eyes of others,
but may genuinely serve their peoples.
May all recognize their responsibility that people may be influenced for what is good,
not evil, what is true, and not false.
May prayer be made for those in high office,
that they may bear their burdens with wisdom.
May blessings be invoked on them day by day,
may they be heartened by the prayers of the people.
In the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Amen.
GUESTS
President Bond welcomed retired doorman Craig Yorke, who was recognized and
presented with his Senate jacket and badge, by Majority Leader Tim Emert and Minority
Leader Anthony Hensley.
INTRODUCTION OF BILLS AND CONCURRENT RESOLUTIONS
The following bill was introduced and read by title:
SB 659, An act concerning the developmental disabilities reform act; relating to intake
and service referral functions and treatment and care service functions; amending K.S.A.
1999 Supp. 39-1801, 39-1803, 39-1804, 39-1805 and 39-1806 and repealing the existing
sections, by Committee on Ways and Means.
CHANGE OF REFERENCE
The President withdrew HB 2782 from the Committee on Ways and Means, and referred
the bill to the Committee on Utilities.
MESSAGE FROM THE HOUSE
Announcing passage of Substitute HB 2971; HB 2997.
Passage of SB 457.
Also, passage of SB 564, as amended.
The House accedes to the request of the Senate for a conference on SB 190 and has
appointed Representatives Boston, Geringer and Henry as conferees on the part of the
House.
INTRODUCTION OF HOUSE BILLS AND CONCURRENT RESOLUTIONS
Substitute HB 2971; HB 2997 were thereupon introduced and read by title.
REMOVE FROM CONSENT CALENDAR
An objection having been made to HB 2757 appearing on the Consent Calendar, the
President directed the bill be removed and placed on the calendar under the heading of
General Orders.
INTRODUCTION OF ORIGINAL MOTIONS AND SENATE RESOLUTIONS
The Kansas Senate joined the United States Congress and 25 other states recognizing
March 10th as Harriet Tubman Day.
In observance of the occasion, Senator Gooch introduced Harriet Tubman, portrayed by
Gwendolyn F. Mukes-Baker, a USD 259 educator from Wichita, who visited with legislators
in the Senate and shared aspects of her life as a conductor on the Underground Railroad
during the 1850's, Bleeding Kansas, and John Brown, the well-known abolitionist.
Senators Gooch and Jones introduced the following Senate resolution which was read:
SENATE RESOLUTION No. 1819--
A RESOLUTION recognizing March 10 as Harriet Tubman Day.
WHEREAS, Harriet Tubman, who lived from 1821 to 1913, was termed the Moses of
American abolitionists and one of the most courageous women in history. Born a slave in
eastern Maryland, she escaped to freedom on the underground railroad during the summer
of 1849. Her passage to freedom caused her to devote her life to sharing the taste of freedom
with others--a heroic calling for an individual who had no formal education and never
learned to read or write; and
WHEREAS, Harriet Tubman returned to the South on 19 occasions to lead other slaves
to freedom. She is credited with undertaking the most hazardous journeys and leading about
300 individuals to freedom. A bounty of $40,000, with a horrifying sentence of torture until
death, was offered for her capture--yet she was never captured and never lost a ``passenger''
on the underground railroad; and
WHEREAS, During the Civil War she was attached to the Union Army serving as a cook,
nurse, scout for raiding parties and spy behind Confederate lines. After the war she settled
in Auburn, New York, and continued to work for black freedom, the homeless and elderly,
and for education and human rights. Upon her death in 1913 she was buried with full military
honors. The citizens of Auburn raised a monument in her memory and for many years
maintained the Harriet Tubman Home for needy blacks, which she had founded; and
WHEREAS, On March 10, 1990, the Harriet Tubman Historical Society sponsored the
day to honor the contributions of Ms. Tubman. That tribute has been recognized by the
United States Congress, 25 states and many cities and organizations. Accordingly, it is
entirely appropriate that the Senate of the state of Kansas, the citizens of which had an
extensive history of supporting the underground railroad through eastern Kansas, recognize
and honor this great humanitarian on March 10, Harriet Tubman day: Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the Senate of the State of Kansas: That we honor this great American
on her designated day and hope that her example will cause all people to cherish freedom
in all places and at all times; and
Be it further resolved: That the Secretary of the Senate be directed to provide an enrolled
copy of this resolution to Vivian Abdur-Rahim, Executive Director, the Harriet Tubman
Historical Society, P.O. Box 832127, Stone Mountain, Georgia 30083.
On emergency motion of Senator Gooch SR 1819 was adopted unanimously.
Senator Petty introduced the following Senate resolution which was read:
SENATE RESOLUTION No. 1820--
A RESOLUTION celebrating 125 years of Christian education by the
Topeka Lutheran School.
WHEREAS, In 1874 the Rev. P. G. Germann, pastor of the newly organized St. John's
Lutheran Church, organized, as a private undertaking, a school in the church basement at
Second and Harrison Streets. The school soon became a church project; in 1885 the
congregation built a two room school and in 1888 added a third room; and
WHEREAS, In 1919 the church bought three lots at Fourth and Harrison and opened
a new school at this location in 1922. By 1948 this facility had grown to a five-room operation.
In 1949 the church purchased a plot of ground at Seventh and Roosevelt and on July 3,
1951, the Lutheran School Association, Topeka, Kansas, was organized by four Missouri
Synod Lutheran Churches in the Topeka area. A new school opened at the Seventh and
Roosevelt location in September of 1952. Subsequently, a north addition of three classrooms
was opened in 1958 and in 1977 a south addition was completed providing three more
classrooms, a teacher workroom and offices. In 1999 the school opened a new facility at
1732 Gage providing services for infants through kindergarten; and
WHEREAS, With an enrollment today of nearly 350 students and children attending the
nurturing program, Topeka Lutheran School has provided quality, Christian schooling to
over 1,400 individuals. The history of Topeka Lutheran School is that of parents who refused
to relinquish the responsibility of educating their children to others and of working
tenaciously to provide the best possible education for their children. Their success is
evidenced by the need for further expansion of the school for the future: Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the Senate of the State of Kansas: That we congratulate the Topeka
Lutheran School upon its 125th anniversary of providing quality education to the Topeka
community; and
Be it further resolved: That the Secretary of the Senate be directed to provide an enrolled
copy of this resolution to the Topeka Lutheran School Foundation, Inc., 701 S.W. Roosevelt
Street, Topeka, Kansas 66606.
On emergency motion of Senator Petty SR 1820 was adopted unanimously.
Senator Petty introduced guests of the Senate Gery Pralle, Principal, Topeka Lutheran
School; Janet Ray, Development Director; and Student Council members Rachael Rost,
David Muse, Jessica Berry, Colby Berry and Student Council Vice-President Scott Hudson.
REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES
Committee on Financial Institutions and Insurance recommends SB 600 be amended
by substituting a new bill to be designated as ``Substitute for SENATE BILL No. 600,'' as
follows:
``Substitute for SENATE BILL No. 600
By Senator Brownlee
``AN ACT concerning insurance; relating to standards for prompt, fair and equitable
settlement of health care claims and payment for health care services; establishing an
unfair trade practices act violation.'';
and the substitute bill be passed.
On motion of Senator Emert the Senate adjourned until 2:30 p.m., Monday, March 13,
2000.
HELEN A. MORELAND, Journal Clerk.
PAT SAVILLE, Secretary of Senate.